Newton Elks Honors Nonantum's Own

A few weeks ago I had the distinct pleasure of taking photo's at the annual Newton Elks Installation night. The event started with the welcoming of 2018 Exalted Ruler & court, a farewell to the 2017 Exalted Ruler & court, and finally an awards ceremony that was so inspirational there was not a dry eye in the house! The "Lake" was fully represented at last nights event as they said farewells and thank you's to 2017's Exalted Ruler Jimmy Pellegrine and continued as they welcomed in 2018 Exalted Ruler Linda Norcross. The final event of the evening was the Elks Awards which are given annually to the Elks members who go above and beyond the call of duty and dedicate countless hours to benefit the continued success of the lodge and the community. After an emotional and heartfelt presentation of Elk of the Year to Watertowns Paul Coppi, it was the next award that brought down the house. Known to many as Sammy, Nonantum's Sammy Davis was the unsuspecting recipient of the 2017 Newton Elks Citizen of the Year award. Sammy's dedication to raising funds for the Dana Farber foundation began 23 years ago after the passing of his mother Florence Davis in 1992, Sammy set off on his first benefit bike ride to Hyannis and back in 1995 and continued for the next 19 years until an unfortunate accident left him unable to ride in 2014. For some, the story may end there but not for Sammy. In 2015 Sammy continued his efforts by WALKING to Hyannis and back and has continued ever since.

"Thank you and farewell to 2017 Exalted Ruler Jimmy Pelligrine"